SACO — Residents will have a chance to speak out about the proposed school budget of nearly $33.2 million on Tuesday.

Public comment on the proposed budget will be part of a workshop set for Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Saco City Hall. The proposed budget will mean about $1 million more in local contributions, said Interim Superintendent of Schools Mike Pulsifer.

Regional School Unit 23 accountant Jason DiDonato said his estimate ”“ which hasn’t been verified with the city finance director ”“ shows the proposed budget will increase the mil rate about .53, which would translate to a $105 tax increase on a $200,000 home.

DiDonato said the required local match, which the state requires the city to contribute in order to receive state funds, has increased by $400,000 because of the property valuation. Also, state subsidy is estimated to decrease about $265,000.

Also factored in is a loss of about $125,000 from Dayton, which has chosen to use Biddeford for its school administrative services.

The budget includes startup costs in technology, as well as fixed costs such as heat and bus fuel, said Pulsifer.

The proposed budget includes a handful of new positions as well: an educational technician at C.K. Burns School, a kindergarten teaching position at Fairfield that had been moved to Dayton, and a literacy teaching position that had been eliminated a few years ago. It also includes a half-time gifted and talented teacher, for which the district will receive reimbursement through the state, and a full-time nurse, as a nursing position is currently split between Fairfield and Young schools.

Pulsifer said there is “no fluff” in the budget. DiDonato said he believes its a fiscally responsible budget, but he said there’s not a lot of cushion for any surprises.

“It’s a very lean budget,” added School Board Chairman Kevin Lafortune.

He said he doesn’t like seeing taxes go up, but the board needs to have a budget that is responsible to the educational needs of students.

A report that the withdrawal committee commissioned from accounting firm Purdy Powers last year reported some savings after the city withdrew from Regional School Unit 23.

Lafortune said the Purdy Powers report was an estimate based on information and the landscape at the time. In the long run, he said, he believes withdrawal will save money, and the board can look at making some alignments with the city.

After the school board approves a budget, it will go to the city council for approval on April 14. The budget approved by the city council will go to voters for final approval at a city-wide referendum on June 10.

Information on the proposed budget is posted online. Go to www.sacomaine.org, click on the departments tab and scroll down to schools.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.